Pope Francis comes back from Abu Dhabi, says that Islam and Christianity & common values ​​& # 39; will promote

On his return from his historic apostolic journey to the Arabian peninsula, particularly the United Arab Emirates, Pope Francis said that the Islamic world and the Christian world will work together to create common values ​​& # 39; to improve.

On Wednesday Pope Francis spoke to his audience at St. Peter's Square about his meeting with the Great Imam of Al-Azhar and their signing of the document about the Human Brotherhood, in which all forms of religious violence and the spread of authentic values ​​all over the world world.

"The Great Imam of Al-Azhar and I signed it document about the human brotherhood, in which we together confirm the common vocation of all men and women to be brothers. As sons and daughters of God, we condemn all forms of violence, especially those with religious motivation, and we commit ourselves to spreading authentic values ​​and peace throughout the world. world, "said Pope Francis." It gives so much pressure to move forward in the dialogue about human brotherhood. "

The Holy Father said that the document was meant to give a "clear and decisive sign" that different religions can respect each other in dialogue. He also condemned the temptation of a "clash between Christian and Muslim civilizations." to see.

"In an era like ours, where the temptation to see a clash between Christian and Muslim civilizations is strong, and also to view religions as sources of conflict, we wanted to give a further, clear and decisive sign that instead of it is possible to meet, it is possible to respect and dialogue, and that, despite the diversity of cultures and traditions, the Christian and Muslim world values ​​and protects common values: life, family, religious meaning, honor for the elderly, the education of young people, and others, & # 39; said the Pope.

The pope's decision to visit the UAE was a completely strategic decision, given the progress of the country in recent years through a crossroads of East and West & # 39; to become.

"That country has grown enormously in recent decades: it has become a crossroads between East and West, a multi-ethnic and multireligious" oasis ", and therefore a suitable place to promote the meeting culture," said Pope Francis of the UAE.

In perhaps the most emotional moment of his speech, Pope Francis told the audience to meet one of the first Catholic priests of the UAE who expressed deep joy despite being blind and limited to a wheelchair.

"I had the opportunity to greet the first priest – ninety – who had gone there to found so many communities," said Pope Francis. "He is blind in the wheelchair, but the smile does not fall from his lips, the smile from serving the Lord and from having done so well." I also said hello to another ninety-year-old priest – but that was walking and working. "

Pope Francis is the first Roman Catholic pope to visit the Arabian peninsula, the birthplace of Islam.

The full comments of the Pope:

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

In recent days I have made a brief apostolic journey to the United Arab Emirates. A short but very important journey that, linked to the 2017 meeting in Al-Azhar, Egypt, has written a new page in the history of the dialogue between Christianity and Islam and in the promise to promote peace in the world based on human brotherhood.

For the first time, a pope went to the Arabian peninsula. And Providence wanted it to be a pope named Francis, 800 years after the visit of St. Francis of Assisi to the sultan al-Malik al-Kamil. I often thought of St. Francis during this trip: he helped me to keep the gospel, the love of Jesus Christ in my heart, while experiencing the different moments of the visit; in my heart there was the gospel of Christ, prayer to the Father for all his children, especially for the poorest, for the victims of injustice, wars, miseries …; prayer because the dialogue between Christianity and Islam is a decisive factor for peace in the world today.

I sincerely thank the Hereditary Prince, the President, the Vice-President and all the United Arab Emirates Authorities who welcomed me with great courtesy. That country has grown enormously in recent decades: it has become a crossroads between East and West, a multi-ethnic and multireligious oasis & # 39 ;, and therefore a suitable place to promote the meeting culture. I give my thanks to Bishop Paul Hinder, Vicar Apostolic of South Arabia, who prepared and organized the event for the Catholic community, and my "thank you" extends with affection to the priests, religious and lay people who have the Christian presence. to animate in that country.

I had the opportunity to greet the first priest – ninety – who had gone there to found so many communities. He is blind in the wheelchair, but the smile does not fall from his lips, the smile from serving the Lord and from having done so well. I also said hello to another ninety-year-old priest – but that was walking and continuing to work. Good boy! – and many priests there serving the Christian communities of the Latin rite, of the Syro-Malabar, Syro-Malankara rituals, of the Maronite rite coming from Lebanon, India, the Philippines and other countries.

In addition to the speeches, a step was taken in Abu Dhabi: the Great Imam of Al-Azhar and I signed the document about the human brotherhood , in which we jointly affirm the common vocation of all men and women as brethren in God's sons and daughters, we condemn all forms of violence, especially those with religious motivation, and we commit ourselves to spreading authentic values ​​and peace throughout the world. This document will be studied in schools and universities in different countries. But I also recommend that you read it, it knows, because it exerts so much pressure to make progress in the dialogue about human brotherhood.

In an age like ours, in which the temptation to see a clash between Christian and Muslim civilizations is strong, and also to view religions as sources of conflict, we wanted to give a further, clear and decisive sign, that instead of it is possible to meet, it is possible to respect and dialogue, and that, despite the diversity of cultures and traditions, the Christian and Muslim world values ​​and protects common values: life, family, religious meaning, honor for the elderly, the education of young people, and others.

About a million Christians living in the United Arab Emirates: workers from different Asian countries. Yesterday morning I met a representative of the Catholic community in St. Joseph's cathedral in Abu Dhabi – a very simple temple – and then, after this meeting, I celebrated for everyone. There were so many! They say that among those in the stadium, who have a capacity of 40 thousand, and those who were in front of the scenes outside the stadium, it was 150 thousand! I celebrated the Eucharist in the city stadium and announced the Gospel of the Beatitudes. In the Mass, concelebrated with the patriarchs, the great archbishops and the bishops, we prayed in a special way for peace and justice, with special intention in the Middle East and Yemen.

Dear brothers and sisters, this journey is one of the surprises & # 39; from God. We therefore praise him and his providence and pray that the scattered seeds bear fruit according to his holy will.